DETAILS

Gamers, prepare to get your geek on as the ultimate retro and board gaming festival returns to Portsmouth Guildhall this February, bigger and even better than before!

Guildhall Games Fest celebrates more than 40 years of gaming, from Pong and Pac Man to Mario and Minecraft, with an unbeatable selection of board games, retro games consoles and retro arcade games experience in VR to be played.

This event is a collaboration between Portsmouth Guildhall, Dice Portsmouth, Game Over and Novatech, building on the success of Comic Con 2018 and Guildhall Games Fest in August.

Play on every games console imaginable, from the Vectrex to the Game Cube, from Playstation 1 to Pong on the Binatone TV Master IV. Browse the library of hundreds of exciting board games to play, with dedicated staff members on hand to recommend a game for you and then teach you how to play it. Why not challenge your friends and family with 2-player games and compete in tournaments to be the Games Fest champion! And for another-worldly experience, step into Novatech’s future technology room and battle space aliens in another dimension…

The event is open to all ages (under 14s to be accompanied by an adult). However there will also be an over 18s only boarding gaming room with pop-up bar!

We aim to cover all genres - from family classics such as monopoly and cluedo, to modern hits such as Dead of Winter, King of Tokyo and Sheriff of Nottiboangham.

Join us for Portsmouth’s leading Retro and Board Gaming festival!

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Tickets

Under 14's must be accompanied by an adult

Traders

This year you can also browse our selected traders at Guildhall Games Fest!

is one of the UK’s largest officially-sanctioned competitive Pokémon event organisers. Each week, players of all ages attend our casual sessions to play and battle with the Pokémon Trading Card Game and video games. Some come along just to chat and make friends!

Props and Replicas.co.uk is a UK based supplier of high quality props and replicas from Film, TV, Anime & Video Games. We also offer a range of Cosplay & LARP equipment & Replica weaponry from Film, TV, Anime & Video Games.

Love Sleepovers was set up to create seriously impressive sleepover parties, for parents looking for seriously impressive reactions from our setups. They set up and style jaw-dropping, insta-worthy slumber parties that are perfectly styled and accessorized!

Portsmouth Comic Con is an event set up by The Guildhall Trust, who also put together Clocktower Classics, Big Mouth Comedy Festival and of course Guildhall Games Fest! Get your exclusive merch for these events here, not available from anywhere else!

Contact

Before you get in touch with us here are some answers to frequently asked questions:

Can I exhibit/trade at this event?

We are now able to take applications for traders. Either email [email protected] directly or use the adjacent form.

Will there be food and drinks available at this event?

Portsmouth Guildhall's Square Kitchen will be open throughout the event, serving up it's famous pizzas and waffles, alongside their salad bar and bakery. Bars will also be open throughout the day serving both alcoholic and non-alcohol drinks.

What board games and retro games will be available to play?

Dice Portsmouth and Game Over Portsmouth will be bringing their full catalogue of games, with hundreds and hundreds of games to choose from spanning across many generations. You will not be stuck for choice that's for sure!

Is this event wheelchair accessible?

As with all events at Portsmouth Guildhall the venue and event is fully accessible to people of all needs. Should you have any concerns about accessibility at the venue please contact: 023 93870 200. Free carer tickets are also available to this event.

How can I join this event as a sponsor?

We are welcoming sponsorship to this event, should you wish to get on board please contact [email protected]

In what areas of the Guildhall will this event be taking place?

The event will be focused in Portsmouth Guildhall's main auditorium, with board games and retro gaming taking over the whole of the area.

Will there be tickets available on the door?

The capacity for the event is capped at 2000, so we recommend buying your tickets sooner rather than later to avoid disappointment. At Portsmouth Comic Con we sadly had to turn people away due to selling out during the course of the days events.

Can I apply for a press-pass for this event?

We are welcoming press applications to this event, should you wish to get on board please contact [email protected]

Will there be cosplay?

As with Portsmouth Comic Con we not only welcome but encourage cosplayers to our event!

Still need to get in touch?

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Get a taste of some of the Board Games Dice will be bringing:

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